In Bhagavad Gita 14.15, Krishna says that one who dies in rajas is born among those attached to action, and one who dies in tamas is born in deluded wombs.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
रजसि प्रलयं गत्वा
कर्मसङ्गिषु जायते
तथा प्रलीनस्तमसि
मूढयोनिषु जायते ॥ १४-१५ ॥
rajasi pralayaṃ gatvā
karmasaṅgiṣu jāyate
tathā pralīnastamasi
mūḍhayoniṣu jāyate
English transliteration rajasi pralayam gatvaa
karmasangishu jaayate
tathaa praleenastamasi
moodhayonishu jaayate ॥ 14.15 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Dying in rajas, one is born among those attached to action. Likewise, dying in tamas, one is born in the wombs of the deluded.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| रजसि rajasi | in rajas |
| प्रलयम् pralayam | death |
| गत्वा gatvā | meeting |
| कर्मसङ्गिषु karmasaṅgiṣu | among those attached to action karma (action) + saṅgiṣu (attached) |
| जायते jāyate | is born |
| तथा tathā | likewise |
| प्रलीनः pralīnaḥ | dying |
| तमसि tamasi | in tamas |
| मूढयोनिषु mūḍhayoniṣu | in the wombs of the deluded mūḍha (deluded) + yoniṣu (wombs) |
| जायते jāyate | is born |
Word-wise Chanting
- ra–ja–si pra–la–yaṃ gat–vā 8 syllables ra-ja-si pra-la-yam gat-vaa
- kar–ma–saṅ–gi–ṣu jā–ya–te | 8 syllables kar-ma-san-gi-shu jaa-ya-te
- ta–thā pra–lī–nas–ta–ma–si 8 syllables ta-thaa pra-lee-nas-ta-ma-si
- mū–ḍha–yo–ni–ṣu jā–ya–te || 14-15 8 syllables moo-dha-yo-ni-shu jaa-ya-te
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 14 Verse 15
Context
Krishna continues describing the destiny connected with each guna (14.14–14.15).
Meaning
Those who die in rajas are reborn among karma-saṅgins, people driven by activity and ambition. Those who die in tamas are born in mūḍha-yonis, conditions of dullness and ignorance.
The teaching is a reminder that our dominant tendencies shape our future. Each day we are shaping who we will become.
In Practice
Choose one habit today that pulls you toward rajas or tamas, and replace it with something sattvic.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (The Three Gunas). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.